Located in New York's Finger Lakes region, Red Tail Ridge
Winery is owned and operated by the husband and wife
team of Mike Schnelle and Nancy Irelan who moved to
Seneca Lake from California to create a winery from scratch.
As a former executive in charge of viticulture and oenology
R&D at a large winery, Nancy strongly believes in
sustainability. Not only is Red Tail Ridge farmed in a
sustainable manner it is also the first LEED certified winery in
New York.
The bulk of Red Tail Ridge's production is Riesling, but Nancy and Mike have also planted several clones of
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir alongside small experimental plots of Teroldego and Dornfelder. They plan to remain a
limited production winery, crafting premium dry wines that faithfully reflect their origins. The winery attracted
attention for its early releases with some very positive press and several Gold and Silver medals in competitions on
the East and West coasts. Wine Business Monthly named Red Tail Ridge one of its Hot Small Brands of 2008 and
Eric Asimov of the New York Times has lauded them for their efforts.
| Tasting notes |
| This wine was crafted without oak – the result is a medium-bodied, elegant
and nuanced white that offers crisp aromas and flavors of juicy pears, golden delicious apples, apricots, vanilla,
stone fruit and pronounced minerality. A slightly rounded mid-palate provides the backbone for the clean extended
finish. |
| Technical notes |
| Small lots of fruit from the RTR Vineyard and the Gold Seal vineyard was fermented in stainless steel for 12 days.
10% of the wine completed malolactic. |
